Comments on: Banana Republic’s new look http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/ Free advice from a fashion pro Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:59:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: punkANDLEATHER http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-14238 punkANDLEATHER Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:09:30 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-14238 Banana Republic is so plain!!! Banana Republic is so plain!!!

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13948 Rebecca Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:41:24 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13948 If I were willing to part with real money, I would absolutely wear the outfit in the center. Well, you never know but what I'll find it this time next year at Value Village for $1. lol If I were willing to part with real money, I would absolutely wear the outfit in the center. Well, you never know but what I’ll find it this time next year at Value Village for $1. lol

]]> By: Eva http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13925 Eva Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:44:18 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13925 Funny you should have a blog on Banana Republic. I never shop there (well once to get that wide brown snake skin belt that I love), but I shopped there last Sunday. I purchased trouser jeans as pictured here, but (for some reason) mine has a pocket flap in the back. http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=20977&pid=540585 Although they are trouser jeans, they are rather snug at the thighs (I am a pear with meaty thighs). I thought that trouser jeans were not suppose to be snug in the thigh. I am still deciding whether to keep them. Oh, and I loved this cotton trench, but which color to buy? http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=24374&pid=547697&scid=547697022 Funny you should have a blog on Banana Republic. I never shop there (well once to get that wide brown snake skin belt that I love), but I shopped there last Sunday. I purchased trouser jeans as pictured here, but (for some reason) mine has a pocket flap in the back.
http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=540585
Although they are trouser jeans, they are rather snug at the thighs (I am a pear with meaty thighs). I thought that trouser jeans were not suppose to be snug in the thigh. I am still deciding whether to keep them.

Oh, and I loved this cotton trench, but which color to buy?
http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....=547697022

]]> By: m http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13920 m Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:36:45 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13920 makes me happy to be dark-skinned!!! all the rich colors and bright patterns are really great on darker complexions and it's so rare we have the option. makes me happy to be dark-skinned!!! all the rich colors and bright patterns are really great on darker complexions and it’s so rare we have the option.

]]> By: Maya http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13914 Maya Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:17:44 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13914 I like to buy the majority of my basics from BR and add some interest with funkier, more youthful pieces from places like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. Their denim, for one thing, is perfect. The short inseam is a blessing for someone who is too leggy for petite inseams and too short for regular lengths. However, an entire wardrobe's worth of BR clothes can get boring very fast. I have been in love with ink blue ever since you mentioned it and this dress comes so close to being perfect, but the neckline won't work for my chest :( http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=25789&pid=547873&scid=547873002&vid=-1 So disappointing! I like to buy the majority of my basics from BR and add some interest with funkier, more youthful pieces from places like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. Their denim, for one thing, is perfect. The short inseam is a blessing for someone who is too leggy for petite inseams and too short for regular lengths. However, an entire wardrobe’s worth of BR clothes can get boring very fast.

I have been in love with ink blue ever since you mentioned it and this dress comes so close to being perfect, but the neckline won’t work for my chest :( http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....amp;vid=-1

So disappointing!

]]> By: Angie http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13911 Angie Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:58:59 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13911 You are so right Jen. BR has a super petites department and I like to take petite clients there. Macy's is quite good for petites and so is Ann Taylor, the Loft, Anne Klein and occasionally Nordstrom. You are so right Jen. BR has a super petites department and I like to take petite clients there. Macy’s is quite good for petites and so is Ann Taylor, the Loft, Anne Klein and occasionally Nordstrom.

]]> By: Jen http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13910 Jen Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:50:21 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13910 If I stopped shopping at BR, I'd have very little to wear. They are one of the few places that does petites well. I can always find something that fits!! I have been loving JCrew lately too. Started last Fall when they came out with their patterned sweaters. Now I'm loving their ruffled cardigans for spring. And last night I just bought their Italian Poplin Rain Coat (but in a neutral khaki). It's adorable! But sizing at JCrew is not as consistent as BR, and you can only find petites online. If it doesn't fit, you have to pay shipping both ways - that really sucks. Especially given that their sizing is so inconsistent!!! At least with with BR, if you normally take a Small Petite and a 1p, you can be 95% sure what you ordered will fit. I agree about the GAP, but I was happy that they have come out now with petites. I stocked up last year on basic petite tee shirts and will do again this year. Tee shirts that fit are particularly hard to find if you are petite. Just wish they'd have some more interesting colors than the standard white, black, brown, red, navy. If I stopped shopping at BR, I’d have very little to wear. They are one of the few places that does petites well. I can always find something that fits!!

I have been loving JCrew lately too. Started last Fall when they came out with their patterned sweaters. Now I’m loving their ruffled cardigans for spring. And last night I just bought their Italian Poplin Rain Coat (but in a neutral khaki). It’s adorable!

But sizing at JCrew is not as consistent as BR, and you can only find petites online. If it doesn’t fit, you have to pay shipping both ways - that really sucks. Especially given that their sizing is so inconsistent!!! At least with with BR, if you normally take a Small Petite and a 1p, you can be 95% sure what you ordered will fit.

I agree about the GAP, but I was happy that they have come out now with petites. I stocked up last year on basic petite tee shirts and will do again this year. Tee shirts that fit are particularly hard to find if you are petite. Just wish they’d have some more interesting colors than the standard white, black, brown, red, navy.

]]> By: amominred http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13908 amominred Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:23:25 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13908 A much needed change in my opinion! I think the new looks are fun, right on trend but still very classic, which is so BR. A much needed change in my opinion! I think the new looks are fun, right on trend but still very classic, which is so BR.

]]> By: Angie http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13907 Angie Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:14:14 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13907 That’s an interesting perspective Rayna . I perceive there to be plenty of neutrals amongst the new refreshing brights at BR this season. I was there with a client who is a neutral girl a few days ago and we found loads of neutral things for her. Perhaps it depends on the BR and the way the items are displayed? Their monogram collection is virtually completely neutral. On the other hand, I perceive J Crew to be 95% bright with very few neutrals. I don’t think this is bad either. It’s part of the preppy niche market that they try to capture. You are not alone with your impression of Gap Marlene. They have been struggling for years and transforming for years. It’s a shame that they don’t seem to be getting their product mix right. Remember this post? I love their socks though. http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/01/23/gaps-decline/ That’s an interesting perspective Rayna . I perceive there to be plenty of neutrals amongst the new refreshing brights at BR this season. I was there with a client who is a neutral girl a few days ago and we found loads of neutral things for her. Perhaps it depends on the BR and the way the items are displayed? Their monogram collection is virtually completely neutral.

On the other hand, I perceive J Crew to be 95% bright with very few neutrals. I don’t think this is bad either. It’s part of the preppy niche market that they try to capture.

You are not alone with your impression of Gap Marlene. They have been struggling for years and transforming for years. It’s a shame that they don’t seem to be getting their product mix right. Remember this post? I love their socks though.

http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/01/23/gaps-decline/

]]> By: Marlene http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13904 Marlene Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:35:07 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/03/04/banana-republics-new-look/#comment-13904 I wandered into BR on Thursday for the first time in ages.. a year, perhaps? Like you, I was finding that the offerings were dull and uninspired. But this time, I was surprised at how nice everything was! I saw trendier stuff than I expected..but the trends were interpreted into some very wearable styles. I'm having a hard time at Gap the past couple seasons...odd styles and really bad fit. Sizing was all over the place and things were fitting very oddly. I hope they undergo a serious transformation as well...and SOON. I wandered into BR on Thursday for the first time in ages.. a year, perhaps? Like you, I was finding that the offerings were dull and uninspired. But this time, I was surprised at how nice everything was! I saw trendier stuff than I expected..but the trends were interpreted into some very wearable styles.

I’m having a hard time at Gap the past couple seasons…odd styles and really bad fit. Sizing was all over the place and things were fitting very oddly. I hope they undergo a serious transformation as well…and SOON.

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